Congress MLA in Andhra Pradesh Venkateswara Rao becomes first legislator to use NOTA in Rajya Sabha poll

HYDERABAD: Congress MLA in Andhra Pradesh Daggubati Venkateswara Rao today became the first legislator to exercise None Of The Above (NOTA) option introduced in the Rajya Sabha elections.

"We have rejected the bill and also held a protest earlier (against bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh). If we follow a process that abides by the decision of the high command, it can lead to misconceptions (among people). I could not accept that," Rao, who hails from Coastal Andhra, told reporters.

Rao, husband of Union Minister D Purandeswari, said he had informed Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC president Botsa Satyanarayana about his decision.

Polling was held today here for six Rajya Sabha vacancies from the state.